Englewood Chamber Storm Center


**We will be adding resources to this page as they become available. Please continue to check back for updates**

After a storm, the Englewood Chamber play’s a crucial role in helping the community recover by providing a list of trusted local businesses. By curating a directory of reliable contractors, electricians, plumbers, and other service providers, the Chamber ensures that residents can access the resources they need to repair homes, clear debris, and restore services. This list can prevent residents from falling victim to scams or unqualified workers, offering peace of mind during a stressful time. Additionally, by promoting local businesses, the Chamber strengthens the community’s economy, helping small businesses thrive even in the wake of disaster. Need help? – Click Here to Search for Businesses

Click Here to take the Damage Assessment Survey. Survey results will help determine the level of resources brought into our community

Current Situation

  • Tom Adams Bridge – Closed to vehicle traffic (Only residents & business owners are allowed over).
  • Manasota Key Bridge – Closed to vehicle traffic.
  • Boca Grande Bridge – Gasparilla Road is impassible due to water and there is a deputy at the bridge.
  • Palm Island Barge – The barge is shut down.

Medication
RxOpen is currently activated for Florida in response to Hurricane Milton. RxOpen is a mapping tool that helps patients and providers locate open pharmacies in areas impacted by natural disasters and public health emergencies. Visit www.healthcareready.org/rxopen to view the map and find open pharmacies.

Schools

  • Charlotte County: All public schools will be closed through Friday, October 11th.
  • Sarasota County: All public schools will be closed through Friday, October 11th. For more information visit, www.sarasotacountyschools.net/hurricane.

Waste Services

  • Charlotte County Solid Waste: All solid waste services have been paused. Do not put garbage, recycling, yard waste or bulk items at the curb until after the storm. 
  • Sarasota County Solid Waste: All solid waste services have been paused. Do not put garbage, recycling, yard waste or bulk items at the curb until after the storm. 

Assistance

  • Free Employee Funding: Food & Beverage workers: Please reach out to Southern Smoke Foundation. They can help you get the funding you need, whether that’s paying for groceries, damages to your home, medical bills, or lost wages due to missing work. To apply, Click Here. Remember, no crisis is too small to apply for help. They are here for you!
  • Free FEMA Funding: Apply for FEMA individual assistance now for your critical needs at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362, 7 am-10 pm daily.
  • Work Opportunities: Click Here to view available work opportunities.
  • Unemployment: Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene. Eligible Floridians can submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org. To learn more including eligibility, click here.
  • Office Space: If you need internet or office space, please stop by the Chamber.

Free Clean Up Help
Help is available for cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene. Crisis Cleanup connects you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with cleanup after a storm such as mucking out, trees, tarp, debris. Call 844-965-1386 to ask for help. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need.
Additional cleanup can be found at:

  • United Methodist (855-228-3862): Call to register for disaster assistance such as debris removal, tarping, muck and gut
  • Crisis Clean Up (844-965-1386): Call to register for assistance with debris
  • Samaritan’s Purse (1-833-747-1234): Call to register for assistance

Temporary Housing
Residents whose homes have been damaged and rendered uninhabitable from Hurricane Helene can temporarily live in recreational vehicles and mobile homes on their property until Sept. 23, 2027. Only occupants of the damaged home may reside in the temporary RVs or mobile homes. To register, visit bit.ly/rvregistration. To apply for a trailer, call the HOPE LINE at 1-833-Get-Hope.

Free Insurance Help

  • The Florida Division of Consumer Services assists insurance consumers in the aftermath of a disaster. Visit myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/storm/resources or call the insurance consumer helpline: 1-877-693-5236, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • United Policyholders is a nonprofit consumer advocacy group that offers guidance on navigating claims and purchasing appropriate insurance. They do not sell insurance or take money from insurance companies. Visit www.uphelp.org/Helene or contact Julitza Perez, the United Policyholders Florida Local Liaison and attorney, at julitza.perez@uphelp.org or call 787-454-3353.

Free Legal Services

  • Florida Rural Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals, families, and vulnerable populations including the elderly, Veterans, and victims of crime. Services include assistance with insurance claims, proof of ownership, property disputes, disaster benefits, and legal papers lost in the storm. visit frls.org or call 1-888-582-3410.

Permitting – Work That Can Be Completed Without a Permit 
Charlotte County encourages residents to begin recovery efforts as soon as possible. To streamline the rebuilding process and prevent delays, the Charlotte County Community Development Department is providing guidelines for work that may be completed without the need for a permit. The following work does not require a permit: 

  • Removal of debris from on or inside a structure. 
  • Minor demolition to prevent injury or prevent further damage to buildings. This includes removal of drywall that has been affected by flood water.
  • Structural shoring and bracing.
  • Repair of minor water leaks that do not involve structural, mechanical, or electrical systems. 
  • Previously permitted fences destroyed by the storm may be re-installed, like for like, in the exact same location, except for fences used as a pool enclosure. Pool enclosure fence replacements must be reviewed for compliance with pool safety requirements. 

While these activities can begin immediately, residents should ensure that their recovery efforts comply with the Florida Building Code, any other applicable County codes, and safety standards. If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, or if additional information is needed, visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/permits or contact Community Development at 941-743-1201 or BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Sand Removal
Beachfront residents with overwashed sand on their property must follow a process to remove it. They can put it back on the beach only after receiving approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. FDEP has a link with information about how private property owners can receive proper permission before placing overwashed sand from Helene back on the beach. Visit https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/CCCL%20Post%20Storm%20Information%20Handout_Private_06242022_0.pdf

The DEP contact info: Kelly Cramer, kelly.cramer@floridadep.gov, or DEP Cell #: 239-770-7502 (NO TEXTS)
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Lee, Collier, Charlotte, & Monroe Counties
PO Box 2549, Ft. Myers, FL.  33902-2549

Boca Grande Mail
All Boca Grande mail will be processed at the Placida Post Office. There will  be no USPS service from the Boca Grande Post Office until further notice. Cherrie, from the BG PO is working at Placida for now.  Residents and businesses who normally have their mail collected at Boca Grande Office will need to  go to the main counter at Placida Post Office and ask for their mail, explaining they have Boca P.O. Boxes. You should take ID along with you. Forwarded mail will continue to be processed the same. They are not sure how long this process will be in place.  

Here is the Placida PO info:
PLACIDA Post Office™
8601 PLACIDA RD
PLACIDA, FL 33946-9998
941-697-7614
Monday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Partner Updates

Do NOT Hoard
Remember, even in times of panic only take what you need for your household. Your community needs supplies too so don’t overstock and leave nothing for your neighbors. It is recommended to stock enough for each person in your house to last 3 to 7 days.